Eye-strengthener.



Patented Aug. 25, I899 K E. B. CARTER.

EYE STBENGTHENEB.

lApplication filed June 21, 1898.)

1N0 Model.)

Wilnzsscs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ED\VARD B. CARTER, OF HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMr.

EYE-STRENGTH EN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,859, dated August 15, 1899.

Application filed June 21, 1898. Serial No. 684,083. (NomorlelJ To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDW'ARD B. CARTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Huntsville, in the county of Madison and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Eye-Strengthener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for strengthening the sight of weak eyes and also to rest or relieve the eyes after they have been used for any length of time or have been exposed to bright sunlight or to the wind. In my experiments I have discovered that all colors except blue, the shade of the sky, and green, the shade of grass or foliage, are either positively injurious to or have no effect upon the sight of the eye. The shades of blue and of green have a soothing effect upon the eye, and by exposing the same to the eye alternately it will greatly relieve tired or strained eyes and strengthen those that are weak.

To this end my invention consists in providing a holder for supporting cards of the above colors so that they may be conveniently and effectively used upon the eyes.

The present invention also consists in the construction and arrangement of the holder, as hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through the handle. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. at is a detail view of the card-plate. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the handle.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

Referring tothe drawings, 1 designates a plate holding the cards 2 of the proper colors. The plate is preferably of thin flexible metal or other material, curved or segmental in crosssection and of any shape, but an oblong form being preferable. The end edges of the'plate are bent or formed into flanges 3, which are bent tightly against or fastened to the plate at their lower ends, as shown at 4:, thereby forming a pocket in which the cards are conveniently held. The cards are preferably four in number and embody two shades of each color, being of a dull finish to absorb the white light and not reflect the same into the eye, thus obtaining the full benefit of the color. The groove or pocket formed by the flanges-3 is of a size to contain the four cards, so that the device is always complete, and either of the cards may be placed in front for use, and thus they may be used alternately with very little trouble.

To conveniently hold the device when in use, I provide a handle 5, having a tongue 6, which is adapted to be fitted between a strap 7 and the body of the plate 1. This strap is formed by cutting or forming two parallel slits in the plate midway between its ends and near the lower edge thereof and bending out the portion of the plate between the said slits. The handle is also provided with a pair of spring-fingers 8, arranged one at each side of the tongue and at the base of the latter. These fingers are inclined outward and away from the tongue, and when the handle is placed in position, as shown, the fingers overlap the lower edge of the plate and receive the edges of the cards, whereby the latter are held within the grooves, as described.

In using the device the holder having the colored cards in place is held just in front of the eyes, so as to admit only enough light to clearly distinguish the color. Keep the holder in this position for about two minutes and then remove the same. Repeat the operation, with intervals of fifteen seconds, for about six minutes. The colors may be alternated, as desired. The device used in this manner will greatly aid and benefit weak eyes and will preserve the strength of good eyes if employed as above just before and after using the eyes in reading, &c., or when exposed to the action of bright sunlight, wind, dust, or the like.

It will be noted that the plate 1, which forms the body of the holder, is bowed so as to provide an inner concaved card-receiving face, and this concaved face effectually excludes the exterior light, whereby the eyes are affected only by the reflected light from the exposed card. Furthermore, the handle is located intermediate of the ends of the body and is provided with the spring-fingers 8, which engage the exposed card, and thereby prevent the several cards from bulging outward intermediate of their ends.

The invention being capable of various arrangement as herein described, and shown in the drawings.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Means for strengthening and invigorating the eyesight, consisting in the combination of a plurality of difierently-colored cards and a holder therefor, said holder being adapted to carry the cards and expose oneof them to View, and provided with an offset loop or strap, and a handle having a tongue and spring-fingers provided at each side of the tongue, the latter being engaged between the loop or strap and the rear face of the body of the holder, and the spring-fingers adapted to clamp an edge of the cards against the front face of the holder, substantially as shown and described.

- tion of a plurality of dilferently-colored cards,

a holder therefor, said holder having flanges forming grooves in which the cards are adapted to be carried with one of them exposed to view, and an offset strap or loop provided upon the rear face thereof, and a removable handle having a tongue, and spring-fingers provided at opposite sides thereof and deflected forward away from the tongue, the holder and cards carried thereby being adapted to fit between the fingers and the tongue, with the latter engaging the loop or strap, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD B. CARTER.

IVitnesses:

II. B. GRUBBS, \V. I. WELLMAN. 

